Motorcycle clubs have always been a boys club. It makes sense: the violence, the hierarchy, the fact that they haven't exactly met the women's movement. Now, there's a new club in Northern Cali, looking to make a name for itself. It's already allied...
As Happy drove the black van toward Cara Cara, Tiki shifted in her seat, trying to get comfortable. He'd been giving her sideways glances since they left TM and it was starting to irritate her. Finally, she turned her head and looked at him.
"Something on your mind, sunshine?"
Happy seemed to think about it for a moment before finally nodding his head. "What's the deal with the painkillers?"
Tiki shook her head and looked out her window at the passing scenery. "I don't know what you mean."
Happy snorted, making her turn and glare at him. "Yeah, ya do. You won't take any. Like now, I know your side has to be hurting, but you wouldn't take anything for the pain."
Tiki sighed. "Ya know, I liked you better when you didn't talk so much." She shook her head and sighed again. "You really want to know?"
Happy shot her an exasperated look. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't, T. I feel like it's important."
Tiki stared out the window for another few minutes before she finally spoke quietly. "My mom and I were in a car accident when I was five. She had to have surgery on her leg and after, they put her on painkillers for the pain. When I was six, she overdosed on Oxycontin. Tony's uncle Nero lived in our building and was friends with mom." She smirked. "Actually, I think she worked for him, but I've never been able to get him to admit it." She shook her head. "Anyway, when he didn't see either of us for a few days, he came to check up." Tiki sighed. "I laid there with my dead mother for three days until he found me. I went into foster care after that."
Tiki was startled when Happy reached across the console and grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze. "What about your dad?"
Tiki shrugged, glancing at him. "I don't know who my dad was. Just some john I suppose." She shook her head. "Anyway, between mom and some of my friends, I've seen enough people become addicted or die from painkillers. I don't plan on going down that road."
Happy nodded and they both road along silently for a few more minutes before he spoke again. "Do you trust me?"
Tiki grinned, allowing herself to squeeze his hand before letting go to shift her position again. "I don't know if I've known you long enough for that, but crazily enough, I do."
Happy smirked as he took a turn off of the main road through a small industrial area. "Then believe me when I say that it wouldn't hurt for you to take something for the pain. I won't let you take too much, T."
Tiki sighed, looking at him from the corner of her eye. "I do believe you, but I'm still not taking anything. I'm good, Killa."
He just shook his head, not saying anything as they pulled up to a nondescript warehouse with Tig and Opie pulling in behind them. Tiki opened her door and started to get out but was stopped by Happy's hand on her arm. "Wait for someone to help you."
Tiki huffed but did as she was told. Tig stepped up beside her open door as Happy got out on his side. He grinned at her and held out a hand. "Come on, doll. I got you."
Tig lifted her down out of the van then moved aside for Happy to take his place beside her. He carefully wrapped an arm around her waist, making sure that her injured side was against him, his hand resting on her left hip. "You good?"
Tiki took a deep breath and nodded as they slowly started inside the building. They saw everyone else sitting around on couches in the reception area. Jax grinned and stood up as they came in to make room for Tiki to sit down. "It's about time. Everything taken care of?"
Happy nodded as he helped Tiki get settled. "Yeah, had a bump in the road, but we're good." He looked at Chibs and pointed at Tiki. "You wanna check my work? I'm a little rusty at stitching."
Tony and Alvie sat on either side of Tiki as Chibs stooped down in front of her. She sighed and lifted her shirt so he could remove the bandage and check her wound. "Looks good, Hap." He looked at Tiki and grinned as he shook his head. "Yer just a magnet for trouble, aren't ye lass?"
Tiki grinned as Tony snorted. "Yeah, seems that way." She looked around at the men standing around. "So what's going on here?"
Jax grinned at her obvious subject change. "Well, Tony and Alvie have done the tour, so really it's up to you three to talk and decide if you want to take it on." He grinned and winked. "While you do that, we're gonna go check out what's being filmed today."
Tiki just rolled her eyes as the others laughed. "Quality control, huh?"
Jax snickered and nodded. "Something like that."
Happy leaned over the back of the couch, taking Tiki's chin in his hand to make her tip her head back to look at him. "You good here by yourself?"
Tiki grinned as Tony and Alvie scoffed. "Yeah, but I'm not by myself, ya know."
Happy just smirked and leaned down to plant a quick kiss on her lips. "We'll be back soon."
Everyone looked on shocked as Tiki just nodded as if Happy showing affection was the most natural thing in the world. As the men filed out to parts unknown, Tony and Alvie stared at Tiki. She rolled her eyes. "What? I can't have a guy?"
Tony just shook her head as Alvie chuckled. "Well, that was a little unexpected. When the fuck did that happen?"
Tiki sighed. "This morning, and it's not a big deal. We're just trying it out, to see how it fits." She looked at her two best friends. "So tell me about Cara Cara and why we should give a shit about a porn studio."
